I was wondering why I can eat almonds and almond butter but I cannot drink almond milk. I bought it, not having my list with me, thinking it would be a good milk alternative only to find it is an avoid.

If you can find a brand of almond milk that doesn't use carrageenan and the gums / oils that you need to avoid, it should be okay for you. My guess is that there isn't a commercial product without avoids. So you'll have to try one and see how it affects you.

Speaking of gums, I found many years ago (before BTD) that certain non-dairy frozen desserts were far worse for me than an all natural ice cream brand like Breyers. Rice Dream was one product that bothered me, and I assumed it was the thickening agents.

My SWAMI diet is a blend of BTD and GTD Explorer, but I'm not totally compliant. Also I try to choose foods that have a Low Glycemic index. DW and DD are A+, probably also Explorer.

SquarePeg- the rice dream beverage is gum-free; it's just water, rice, sea salt, and oils (in very small amounts, with that aggrivating "this and/or that oil" so it may actually be compliant if that batch happens to contain only neutral oils). The "enriched" rice dream beverage also contains added vitamins and calcium. IMO, the "original" is healthier because the added nutrients may not be bioavailable or compliant.

I don't personally use it anymore, but I'm comfortable recomending it to others who are easing into this diet and/or are unable (unwilling?) to make their own at this time.

I know - I know - I should make my own almond or rice milk, but I don't have time

Patty H, I've been on the diet for a while and, like you, it was one of those things I just wanted to buy. Well last week I made my first batch homemade almond milk and boy is it ever good. And sooo easy to make. No more buying it..... although I will keep a box in my pantry just in case I froze 2 cups to see how it holds up in the freezer. I bought a nut milk bag to use instead of using cheesecloth.

SquarePeg- the rice dream beverage is gum-free; it's just water, rice, sea salt, and oils (in very small amounts, with that aggrivating "this and/or that oil" so it may actually be compliant if that batch happens to contain only neutral oils). The "enriched" rice dream beverage also contains added vitamins and calcium. IMO, the "original" is healthier because the added nutrients may not be bioavailable or compliant.

I don't personally use it anymore, but I'm comfortable recomending it to others who are easing into this diet and/or are unable (unwilling?) to make their own at this time.

The rice dream frozen desserts, OTOH, are full of garbage.

Right, I meant to add that I drink the unflavored version of the beverage without any problems, and that it was only their ice cream substitute that bothered me. But I ran out of time. I'm glad you followed up on that. I didn't want to discourage the OP from trying it.

My SWAMI diet is a blend of BTD and GTD Explorer, but I'm not totally compliant. Also I try to choose foods that have a Low Glycemic index. DW and DD are A+, probably also Explorer.

Put all in blender, puree for about 5 minutes (until smooth) let sit for 30 minutes or longer, then without shaking pour into container being careful not to let the sediments at the bottom pour into the new container. Alternatively, if you are in a hurry strain through coarse strainer and then through a fine strainer.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.~Mary Jean Irion

In an emergency you can always use almond butter to make almond milk. Just add a tablespoon of almond butter to some spring water and blend or stir until dissolved. If that's too thin, add a little more butter to taste. Not too shabby in a pinch.

In an emergency you can always use almond butter to make almond milk. Just add a tablespoon of almond butter to some spring water and blend or stir until dissolved. If that's too thin, add a little more butter to taste. Not too shabby in a pinch.

That actually sounds pretty tasty!

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.~Mary Jean Irion

I've found that almond milk from whole almonds tastes "milky" while almond milk from almond butter tastes more "almondy." The texture is also much smoother from the whole almonds. I've added almond butter to a smoothie, but when making almond milk to use in hot cocoa or to pour on cereal, the kind from whole almonds works better.

Resurrecting this thread as was just searching after re-reading stuff on "raw almonds" not actually being raw, after the introduction of compulsory pasteurization & irridation "Not only does is kill the bacteria, it renders the almond dead by killing all live nutrients and enzymes when heated over 118 degrees." organicjar.com/2009/1105/ Apparently you can buy raw direct from growers or if you buy outside the USA?!

I also read that the way to tell if your almonds are still raw is whether you can easily slip the skins off?! Apparently it is extremely difficult to skin them if they aren't raw...??!!

What are ppl's thoughts on this? I can't seem to find updated info any closer than 2009